If you’ve been dreaming of landing the striped bass of a lifetime, August is prime time. Big fish are settled into their summer pattern, and this is one of the best opportunities of the year to target true trophy bass.
If you’ve been waiting all season for your shot at a true trophy striper, this is it. August consistently produces some of the biggest bass of the year, and we’re dialed in with live bunker and live eels targeting these giants.
I’ve been talking about this for the last four years, and every season the problem gets worse.
This isn’t an opinion based on a few fishing trips. I’m on the water seven days a week throughout the season and have spent decades targeting striped bass in Long Island Sound.
Twenty years ago, it was rare to catch one brown shark. Today, they’re part of nearly every summer trip.
I believe the impact is far greater than many anglers realize because most fishermen aren’t spending every day on concentrated schools of striped bass. From what I see, nearly every major body of striped bass in July and August has brown sharks around it.
One of the biggest misconceptions is, “Just leave and find another school.”
It isn’t that simple.
The sharks aren’t isolated to one location. Whether you run 1, 2, 10, or even 20 miles, the areas holding striped bass are now loaded with sharks. They steal baits, bite hooked stripers, and often shut the bite down.
Another common comment is, “It’s just Mother Nature.”
But we already manage nearly every other game fish through harvest regulations. I believe it’s well over due to manage brown sharks with the same approach to maintain a balanced fishery.
I’m not advocating for wiping out sharks. I’m advocating for sustainable management, including a reasonable harvest opportunity to help keep the population in balance.
And if a striped bass is bitten in half, anglers should be allowed to keep the remaining portion. Throwing it back only conditions sharks to feed around boats and wastes a valuable food resource.
I’ve watched this change happen year after year, and I’m concerned about where we’re headed if nothing changes. I encourage you to write to your local representatives and environmental protection, agencies, and advocate for brown shark management. ... See MoreSee Less
Several years ago, we started noticing these strange parasites inside the mouths of bunker. At first they were rare, but now it seems like nearly every single bunker we catch has one.
So what are they?
I believe they’re parasitic isopods—a crustacean related to crabs and shrimp that lives inside the fish’s mouth or gills, feeding on blood and tissue.
Is it harmful?
According to a little online research I did, Yes. While it doesn’t usually kill the fish, it can damage the mouth and gills, reduce growth, and put stress on the bunker.
I’ve been fishing Long Island Sound for decades, and the increase has been incredible. It’s another example of how much our ecosystem is changing.
This big striper had a bunker snagger lodged in its mouth, yet it was still actively feeding and ate our bait. We carefully removed the snagger, and this fish kicked away strong.
If you’re gearing up for the summer bite, make sure you stop by Black Hall Outfitters Westbrook🎣 in Westbrook, CT. They’ve got a great selection of Shimano North America Fishing and G. Loomis gear in stock, and the staff will help get you set up with the right equipment.
For anglers looking to get into the nearshore tuna jigging and popping game, the Shimano Saragosa 14000 is hands down the best bang for your buck. Pair it with a Shimano Grappler Jigging or Grappler Casting rod, and you’ve got an incredibly capable setup at a price point that’s hard to beat.
For striped bass, my go-to setup is the G. Loomis Pro Blue 904C MF paired with the Shimano Tranx 400. It’s the perfect rod for live-lining bunker and 3-way rod, but it’s also an outstanding choice for flutter spoons and diamond jigs. It’s lightweight, incredibly sensitive, and has the fast action needed to fish heavy sinkers while still maintaining a soft tip that keeps you connected to every bite.
Whether you’re chasing tuna offshore or trophy stripers in the Sound, swing by Black Hall Outfitters and check out their extensive lineup of Shimano and G. Loomis products. Tell them Captain Mike sent you!
Summer is trophy striped bass season, and we have a few prime dates still available!
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to chase the biggest striped bass of the year, this is it. We’ll be targeting trophy fish on live bait and soft plastics during one of the best bites of the season.
Want to catch your own live bait and fill the boat with big hauls like this? 🎣
The first lesson of my Cast Net Mastery Course is now live exclusively on Captain Mike’s Inshore Academy on Patreon.
In this course, I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned over thousands of throws—from choosing the right net and loading it correctly to making consistent, full spreads and catching bait efficiently. Whether you’re just getting started or want to improve your technique, this series will help you master the cast net.
If your goal is to consistently catch trophy fish, learning to catch your own fresh live bait is one of the best investments you can make. The confidence, money you’ll save, and fish you’ll catch make it well worth it.
Subscribe today to unlock the first video and start building one of the most valuable skills an inshore angler can have.
🎥 Join Captain Mike’s Inshore Academy on Patreon and start mastering the cast net today!
Captain John Kuderka has a few openings available this week, and the timing couldn’t be better!
We’re in the heart of the summer trophy striped bass bite, with big fish feeding and putting on an incredible show. Whether you want to fish live bunker or artificial lures, now is the time to get on the water.
Don’t miss your chance to hook into a fish of a lifetime.
7/14 5:00am & 10:30am 7/16 5:00am 7/20 10:30am
📞 Contact us today or book your trip online before these dates are gone!
Want to catch more trophy striped bass on live bunker?
If you’re serious about improving your success with live bait, join Captain Mike’s Inshore Academy on Patreon. I break down the techniques I’ve developed over 20,000+ hours on the water, with in-depth videos covering bait collection, rigging, presentation, boat positioning, sonar, seasonal patterns, and much more.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your striped bass fishing to the next level, there’s something for every angler.
Subscribe today, up your fishing game this season, and start catching more trophy bass.
You never know what’s going to happen when you’re fishing.
We dropped down a live bunker and immediately got crushed by what was clearly a striped bass. The bass ripped the bunker clean off the hook, and as we reeled up to check the bait… an Atlantic mackerel grabbed the bare hook on the way up. Just another reminder that every trip can surprise you.
Have you ever had something this strange happen while fishing?
If you’ve been dreaming about catching the fish of a lifetime, now is the time. We’re targeting big striped bass with live bait and soft plastics during some of the best fishing of the year.
Beautiful weather, calm mornings, and your best chance at a true trophy bass—don’t miss it.
July is here, and that means prime time for trophy striped bass! 🔥
For the next two months, Connecticut offers some of the best opportunities of the year to catch a true trophy striper. Our resident bass are settled into their summer patterns, and live bait is hands-down the most effective way to target these giants.
If catching the biggest bass of your life is on your bucket list, now is the time to get on the calendar.
It’s hard to find a fish that won’t eat a Lunker City® Fin-S Fish. 😆 Check out this big tog we accidentally caught on one! At this point, I think I’ve caught just about every inshore species in the Northeast on this lure. Have you ever caught something unexpected on a soft plastic? 🎣
🎣 August = Trophy Striper Season! 🎣
If you’ve been dreaming of landing the striped bass of a lifetime, August is prime time. Big fish are settled into their summer pattern, and this is one of the best opportunities of the year to target true trophy bass.
📅 The following dates are still available:
8/5 5:00am
8/6 10:30am
8/11 4:00pm
8/12 10:30am
8/13 4:00pm
8/18 4:00pm
8/19 10:30am
8/20 5:15am, 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/24 10:30am
8/25 10:30am& 4:00pm
8/27 10:30am & 4:00pm
These openings won’t last long. If you’ve been thinking about booking a trip, now is the time.
📲 Book online or send me a message to reserve your date. Let’s put you on the fish of a lifetime!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🎣 Last-Minute Opening! 🎣
We have ONE opening this Monday at 10:30 AM during the prime time of the season for trophy striped bass! 🔥
If you’ve been waiting for your shot at a true giant, this is it. We’re fishing with live bait and the big fish are on the feed.
📅 Monday – 10:30 AM
📲 Book online now or message me directly before it’s gone!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
🚨 August is Prime Time for Trophy Striped Bass! 🚨
If you’ve been waiting all season for your shot at a true trophy striper, this is it. August consistently produces some of the biggest bass of the year, and we’re dialed in with live bunker and live eels targeting these giants.
We have the following dates still available:
8/4 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/5 5:00am
8/6 10:30am
8/10 10:30am
8/11 4:00pm
8/12 10:30am
8/13 4:00pm
8/17 10:30am
8/18 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/19 10:30am
8/20 5:15am, 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/24 10:30am
8/25 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/27 10:30am & 4:00pm
Don’t miss your opportunity to land the fish of a lifetime.
🎣 Book online now or contact me directly to reserve your trip before these dates are gone.
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
youtu.be/fwacz-h_C9k?is=zfKefSstedmHWQtq ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sometimes we get them on the fly too!
#minnkota #humminbird #FishShimano #aftco #meltontackle ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
I’ve been talking about this for the last four years, and every season the problem gets worse.
This isn’t an opinion based on a few fishing trips. I’m on the water seven days a week throughout the season and have spent decades targeting striped bass in Long Island Sound.
Twenty years ago, it was rare to catch one brown shark. Today, they’re part of nearly every summer trip.
I believe the impact is far greater than many anglers realize because most fishermen aren’t spending every day on concentrated schools of striped bass. From what I see, nearly every major body of striped bass in July and August has brown sharks around it.
One of the biggest misconceptions is, “Just leave and find another school.”
It isn’t that simple.
The sharks aren’t isolated to one location. Whether you run 1, 2, 10, or even 20 miles, the areas holding striped bass are now loaded with sharks. They steal baits, bite hooked stripers, and often shut the bite down.
Another common comment is, “It’s just Mother Nature.”
But we already manage nearly every other game fish through harvest regulations. I believe it’s well over due to manage brown sharks with the same approach to maintain a balanced fishery.
I’m not advocating for wiping out sharks. I’m advocating for sustainable management, including a reasonable harvest opportunity to help keep the population in balance.
And if a striped bass is bitten in half, anglers should be allowed to keep the remaining portion. Throwing it back only conditions sharks to feed around boats and wastes a valuable food resource.
I’ve watched this change happen year after year, and I’m concerned about where we’re headed if nothing changes. I encourage you to write to your local representatives and environmental protection, agencies, and advocate for brown shark management. ... See MoreSee Less
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
Several years ago, we started noticing these strange parasites inside the mouths of bunker. At first they were rare, but now it seems like nearly every single bunker we catch has one.
So what are they?
I believe they’re parasitic isopods—a crustacean related to crabs and shrimp that lives inside the fish’s mouth or gills, feeding on blood and tissue.
Is it harmful?
According to a little online research I did, Yes. While it doesn’t usually kill the fish, it can damage the mouth and gills, reduce growth, and put stress on the bunker.
I’ve been fishing Long Island Sound for decades, and the increase has been incredible. It’s another example of how much our ecosystem is changing.
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle
Have you been seeing these where you fish? Let me know in the comments. ... See MoreSee Less
199 CommentsComment on Facebook
This big striper had a bunker snagger lodged in its mouth, yet it was still actively feeding and ate our bait. We carefully removed the snagger, and this fish kicked away strong.
#minnkota #humminbird #FishShimano #aftco #meltontackle ... See MoreSee Less
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
If you’re gearing up for the summer bite, make sure you stop by Black Hall Outfitters Westbrook🎣 in Westbrook, CT. They’ve got a great selection of Shimano North America Fishing and G. Loomis gear in stock, and the staff will help get you set up with the right equipment.
For anglers looking to get into the nearshore tuna jigging and popping game, the Shimano Saragosa 14000 is hands down the best bang for your buck. Pair it with a Shimano Grappler Jigging or Grappler Casting rod, and you’ve got an incredibly capable setup at a price point that’s hard to beat.
For striped bass, my go-to setup is the G. Loomis Pro Blue 904C MF paired with the Shimano Tranx 400. It’s the perfect rod for live-lining bunker and 3-way rod, but it’s also an outstanding choice for flutter spoons and diamond jigs. It’s lightweight, incredibly sensitive, and has the fast action needed to fish heavy sinkers while still maintaining a soft tip that keeps you connected to every bite.
Whether you’re chasing tuna offshore or trophy stripers in the Sound, swing by Black Hall Outfitters and check out their extensive lineup of Shimano and G. Loomis products. Tell them Captain Mike sent you!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
🔥 PRIME STRIPER DATES AVAILABLE! 🔥
Summer is trophy striped bass season, and we have a few prime dates still available!
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to chase the biggest striped bass of the year, this is it. We’ll be targeting trophy fish on live bait and soft plastics during one of the best bites of the season.
🎣 Available Dates:
7/16 5:00am
7/24 5:00am
8/4 10:30 & 4:00pm
8/5 5:00am & 10:30am
8/10 10:30am
8/11 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/12 10:30am
8/13 4:00pm
Book online or contact me directly to reserve your trip before these dates are gone. The best summer dates never last long!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Want to catch your own live bait and fill the boat with big hauls like this? 🎣
The first lesson of my Cast Net Mastery Course is now live exclusively on Captain Mike’s Inshore Academy on Patreon.
In this course, I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned over thousands of throws—from choosing the right net and loading it correctly to making consistent, full spreads and catching bait efficiently. Whether you’re just getting started or want to improve your technique, this series will help you master the cast net.
If your goal is to consistently catch trophy fish, learning to catch your own fresh live bait is one of the best investments you can make. The confidence, money you’ll save, and fish you’ll catch make it well worth it.
Subscribe today to unlock the first video and start building one of the most valuable skills an inshore angler can have.
🎥 Join Captain Mike’s Inshore Academy on Patreon and start mastering the cast net today!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Captain John Kuderka has a few openings available this week, and the timing couldn’t be better!
We’re in the heart of the summer trophy striped bass bite, with big fish feeding and putting on an incredible show. Whether you want to fish live bunker or artificial lures, now is the time to get on the water.
Don’t miss your chance to hook into a fish of a lifetime.
7/14 5:00am & 10:30am
7/16 5:00am
7/20 10:30am
📞 Contact us today or book your trip online before these dates are gone!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Want to catch more trophy striped bass on live bunker?
If you’re serious about improving your success with live bait, join Captain Mike’s Inshore Academy on Patreon. I break down the techniques I’ve developed over 20,000+ hours on the water, with in-depth videos covering bait collection, rigging, presentation, boat positioning, sonar, seasonal patterns, and much more.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your striped bass fishing to the next level, there’s something for every angler.
Subscribe today, up your fishing game this season, and start catching more trophy bass.
Link in bio.
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
You never know what’s going to happen when you’re fishing.
We dropped down a live bunker and immediately got crushed by what was clearly a striped bass. The bass ripped the bunker clean off the hook, and as we reeled up to check the bait… an Atlantic mackerel grabbed the bare hook on the way up. Just another reminder that every trip can surprise you.
Have you ever had something this strange happen while fishing?
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Summer is trophy striper season! 🎣
If you’ve been dreaming about catching the fish of a lifetime, now is the time. We’re targeting big striped bass with live bait and soft plastics during some of the best fishing of the year.
Beautiful weather, calm mornings, and your best chance at a true trophy bass—don’t miss it.
We have the following openings:
7/14 10:30am
7/16 5:00am
7/20 10:30am
7/22 5:00am
7/28 4:00pm
7/30 10:30am & 4:00pm
8/4 10:30am & 4:00pm
📅 Book your trip online, or call or text me to reserve your date. Let’s put you on the fish of a lifetime!
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Big striper on the new 1.5 oz Lunker City® Titan HD jig head with a 6/0 hook, paired with a Fin-S Fish.
Rod: G. Loomis Pro Green 844S
Reel: Shimano North America Fishing Vanford 5000
Simple, balanced, and it gets the job done.
#minnkota #humminbird #FishShimano #aftco #meltontackle ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
The sharks are back… and every year they arrive earlier, stay later, and show up in even greater numbers. It’s becoming the new normal out here.
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
July is here, and that means prime time for trophy striped bass! 🔥
For the next two months, Connecticut offers some of the best opportunities of the year to catch a true trophy striper. Our resident bass are settled into their summer patterns, and live bait is hands-down the most effective way to target these giants.
If catching the biggest bass of your life is on your bucket list, now is the time to get on the calendar.
🎣 Open dates:
7/7 10:30am
7/14 10:30am
7/15 10:30am
7/16 5:00am & 4:00pm
7/20 10:30am
7/21 5:00am
7/22 5:00am
7/23 10:30am & 4:00pm
7/28 4:00pm
7/29 10:30am
7/30 10:30am & 4:00pm
Text or visit the link in my bio to reserve your trip before these dates are gone.
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
It’s hard to find a fish that won’t eat a Lunker City® Fin-S Fish. 😆 Check out this big tog we accidentally caught on one! At this point, I think I’ve caught just about every inshore species in the Northeast on this lure. Have you ever caught something unexpected on a soft plastic? 🎣
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
We caught this big striped bass with a very unusual growth on its lip. 🤔
I’ve seen a lot of stripers over the years, but this one definitely stood out. Any ideas what caused it? Injury? Tumor? Parasite? Something else?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’m curious to hear what you think! 👇🎣
#MinnKota #Humminbird #FishShimano #Aftco #MeltonTackle ... See MoreSee Less
16 CommentsComment on Facebook